"Free Paris Hilton!" Petition Begs

(CBS/AP)  Just as lawyers have taken the first step to appeal her 45-day jail sentence, a petition directed to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has been posted on Paris Hilton's official MySpace page.

Hilton has also rehired her longtime publicist, Elliot Mintz, who she fired over the weekend, Mintz confirmed in an email sent to The ShowBuzz Tuesday.

The online petition, written by a friend named Joshua, asks that the California governor pardon the socialite. It had more than 900 signatures by Tuesday morning.

"This petition is to ask Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to pardon Paris Hilton for her mistake. Please allow her to her return to her career and life. Everyone makes mistakes. She didn't hurt or kill anyone, and she has learned her lesson. She is sincere, apologetic, and full of regret for her actions as she explained tearfully to the Judge handling her case in court yesterday. She is distraught and understandably afraid," the petition says.

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Photos: Paris And The Police

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The 26-year-old heiress was ordered by a judge on Friday to report to a county jail by June 5 for violating the terms of her probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case.

"We, the American public who support Paris, are shocked, dismayed and appalled by how Paris has been the person to be used as an example that Drunk Driving is wrong," the petition continues. "We do not support drunk driving or DUI charges. Paris should have been sober. But she shouldn't go to jail, either."

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Photos: Paris In Vienna

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The governor's office has not reviewed the petition, but has received individual e-mails from constituents both for and against a gubernatorial pardon, Schwarzenegger spokesman Aaron McLear said.

"We'll treat this as we would any other case of this nature, but it would be premature for the governor to get involved until the individual has exhausted his or her judicial remedies," McLear said.

Hilton has rehired the publicist she dumped over the weekend after being sentenced to 45 days in jail. Mintz would not elaborate on why they reunited. She was ordered to report to county jail by June 5 for violating the terms of her probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case.

Mintz, whose clients have included John Lennon and Bob Dylan, had parted ways over an apparent "misunderstanding she received from me regarding the terms of her probation."

In a court appearance Friday, Hilton told the judge Mintz informed her it was all right to drive on a suspended license for work obligations. Mintz also testified Hilton believed she was allowed to drive. The judge called Mintz's testimony worthless.

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Photos: Paris In Sin City

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Hilton's lawyers filed a notice with the court indicating their intent to appeal on Friday. The document is required before a formal appeal can be lodged.

The hotel heiress, who parlayed her party lifestyle into worldwide fame, said she believes the sentence was unfair.

"I feel that I was treated unfairly and that the sentence is both cruel and unwarranted and I don't deserve this," Hilton told photographers assembled outside her home Saturday.

[superfatman-2009]

Jail HER!
Come on, how stupid has the justic system gotten. How stupid has America gotten. People wanted to free someone convicted of CRIMINAL CHARGES and people want her free. If I were to be caught driving under the influence, I am pretty sure that I would be playing 'whos my daddy today' in jail for the FULL 45 days, and maybe even longer. Money and 'name' should not buy you freedom, if it does, let me build my empire and get away with murder.

[ekg125]

If my 13 year old daughter, who by the way, is of middle class stature, was sentenced to 1 year of probation, plus 15 hours of community service, simply for trespassing, then this Hilton chump should be sentenced to AT LEAST 1 year of prison time for 1.) Drunk Driving 2.) driving with a suspended license 3.) Negligence 4.) The VERY IMPORTANT possibility that someone could have been killed by her, and 5.) Her ever present stupidity. There's NO WAY that she should be able to go free without reprimand! Where's the Justice!

[hermit22]

all booze sellers should be required by law to check in the car keys and NOT give them back unless their pitiful customers pass a breath alizer test.

all people who have $100,000 or more income etc. should be required BY LAW to pay all court costs and pay RENT in the slammer. consider it their "summer cottage". $100,000 minus $60,000 jail rent, still leaves $40,000 with is more than enough. they might then take notice of the lesson plan.

drinking is "self-medicating" to hide from dealing with some sort of human misery.

"everyone needs their head examined."

[hermit22]

(deserves a REPOST:)

Contact these LA officials and put them to the test - make them start a 'trend' of prosecuting ANYONE that breaks the law, and HOLD TO IT!

[e-mail]; [e-mail]
Posted by ssporleder at 11:56 AM : May 08, 2007

[highandabove]

Watch the "Release Paris" video here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ2VKxqD_yQ

[terrabear1]

I think everyone is being very judgemental, Leave her alone, or help her out. if you were in the same boat you would want support. Lets send a scared young women to jail for making a mistake, she is scared to death of what might happen that is punishment enough. everyone has done something equally as wrong and you might not have gotten in trouble for it. you all are trying to make a spectical of her because of who shr is try making one of somebody who has hurt someone or caused an accident plenty of celebs have done that. give her a break. T- greeley,co.

[terrabear1]

I think everyone is being very judgemental, Leave her alone, or help her out. if you were in the same boat you would want support. Lets send a scared young women to jail for making a mistake, she is scared to death of what might happen that is punishment enough. everyone has done something equally as wrong and you might not have gotten in trouble for it. you all are trying to make a spectical of her because of who shr is try making one of somebody who has hurt someone or caused an accident plenty of celebs have done that. give her a break. T- greeley,co.

[kimmyj43]

I signed THAT petition!! woohoooooo and yeeehawww for that one!!! LOL

[chickyb1]

Paris Hilton knew exactly what she was doing its not the first time shes made this 'mistake!!' just because shes rich does not mean shes above the law. Most people after commiting this crime would go to jail, and probally for longer than her sentance. I feel she should most defendantly go to jail she is a dangerous driver and has repeatively broken the law.

[howiesgirl2]

Oh Paris- get a freakin life- you simpleton! Now you know how the rest of the real lifers actually live- you do the crime- you serve the time! I sincerely hope that you learn to grow up and that life isn't all fun and games, and that all the dollars your parents have can't bail you out of this one. In fact, they ought to double you days in jail and put you in with the hard lifers! Now, that's the real life!